Details on Omaha's biggest and best holiday spectacular!

What: “Christmas with the Symphony” – Omaha’s Favorite Holiday Tradition
Sponsors: Nebraska Medical Center, ConAgra Foods and the Robert H. Storz Foundation
When: Friday, December 18 8 PM
Saturday, December 19 2 PM & 8 PM
Sunday, December 20 2 PM & 7 PM

Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas Street
Tickets: Start at $15; 402.345.0606, 402.342.3560 or www.omahasymphony.org


Omaha, Neb – Four Broadway singing stars, nine professional dancers direct from New York City, dozens of lush, local voices, a kickline of dancing Santas, and one of the Midwest’s finest orchestras: all these elements will come together to present Christmas with the Symphony, Omaha’s beloved holiday tradition, December 18-20 at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

Director/choreographer Darren Lee returns to Omaha for his second year at the helm. Lee combines the season’s sense of nostalgia with a fresh vision. This New Yorker enjoys the creativity and collaboration that make the production unique. “Rarely do you get to create theatrical pieces with full symphonic support,” Lee said. Moviegoers may recognize Lee from his lead dancing role in the movie Chicago. Notable Broadways credits include Shogun – the Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Seussical, and Victor/Victoria.

The Omaha Symphony team handpicked Tiffany Haas, Peter Lockyer, Gary Mauer, and Elizabeth Southard as this year’s principal cast members, after a series of auditions in New York City. Mauer and Southard are best known for their starring roles as the Phantom and Christine in the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. This husband-wife duo communicates a special chemistry that’s sure to add sparkle to seasonal favorites. Tiffany Haas, a former Miss Ohio, most recently starred in Wicked on Broadway. Peter Lockyer is currently featured in the Lincoln Center production of South Pacific. These rising stars will bring energy and glamour to numbers like “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” “Jingle Bells,” and “White Christmas.”

“Christmas with the Symphony” also highlights the area’s local talent. WOWT TV personality Dave Webber brings his signature spirit to the show, providing charming vocals and lots of laughs. Around 25 young violin students of Omaha Symphony musician Anne Nagosky will be featured, as well as members of the Burke High school, Westside High School, Grace University, and UNO Chamber choirs.

The program will also include the popular audience sing-along and the hilarious dancing Santas. To make the experience even more magical, the Holland Performing Arts Center will be transformed into an enchanting holiday wonderland — complete with pre-concert music and dancing in the lobby and live reindeer outside!

The Symphony Pops series is sponsored by the Nebraska Medical Center. The symphony’s holiday sponsor is ConAgra Foods. The Omaha Symphony is proud to be a part of the ConAgra Foods Arts for the Holidays Celebration. This collaboration features a food drive at all symphony Christmas concerts. Patrons are encouraged to bring canned food and other non-perishable items when attending these performances. All donations will support the Food Bank of Omaha.

Single tickets for “Christmas with the Symphony” start at $15 and are available at 402.345.0606, 402.342.3560, www.omahasymphony.org, or at the Omaha Symphony Box Office at 1605 Howard Street.